Obituary of Booker T. Armstrong Jr.

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle

Believer and Follower of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Matthew 6.9–13  

Booker T. Armstrong, Jr., lovingly called “B.T.”/ “Bumma” by family, was called home on Saturday, October 19, 2024.  

He was the third of nine children born to Booker T. Armstrong and Pearlese Armstrong in Burgaw, North Carolina. The son of a farmer and housewife who grew up on a farm cultivating produce and livestock. The importance of providing for one’s family and the hard work required to accomplish that laid the foundation for an unwavering work ethic he would instill in his children. His lifelong commitment to nurturing, uplifting, and investing in family prevails.

He was a gifted athlete who excelled in baseball and basketball as a young man. He often coached his younger siblings as they grew up. He even tried out for a St. Louis Cardinals baseball farm team, but held back during tryouts as he preferred to play for his father’s favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Booker’s life took a different course when he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. He served his country honorably and was discharged in 1967 as a chief cook and culinary specialist. He met his future wife, Susan Crowder, during a house party in Brooklyn at his brother’s residence. With the urging and some might say insistence of his loving wife, Booker completed his college degree and graduated from Empire State College with a Bachelor of Arts. He pursued a career in social services with the City of New York Department of Social Services and bookended his working years as a mail clerk in the law firm f/k/a as Chadbourne and Parke, LLP.

He was unconventionally creative and gifted with numbers. During the course of his life, he was driven to provide for his family.

 Booker leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Susan Armstrong, their four children: Awendela 'Wendy' Armstrong-Chavez, Krystal “Kris” Hardy, Booker 'Tee' Armstrong, III, Joshua 'Jay' Armstrong; five grandchildren: Amira N. Armstrong-Chavez, Layla M. Armstrong-Chavez, Nicholas N. Armstrong-Chavez, Cayden J. Armstrong, Amir L. Armstrong; bonus grandchildren; three sisters: Janice Jackson, LeNora “Nora” Patton, Gail Armstrong; three brothers: James “Jimmy/Lent” Armstrong, Kent Armstrong, Alonzo Armstrong, and a host of nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents: Booker T. Armstrong and Pearlese Armstrong; sister: Virginia “Ginger” Armstrong, and brother: Dale “Buddy” Armstrong.  

 While your perfectly imperfect earth man gave way to the spirit man you tried to prepare for, please know that you are forever loved and appreciated for the sacrifices you made; the obstacles you overcame/tried to overcome; the lessons you taught/tried to teach; the work ethic you instilled; and the faith and family you placed above all else.

 He was Confounding. Complicated. Frustrating. Imperfect. Human. Gifted. Talented. Brilliant. Strong. A Provider. A Man of Faith. Playful. Funny. Appreciated. Unique.

 Today and for as many days as memories will carry us, you will be remembered for the man you were and not for who others wanted or needed you to be.  As a person of faith and child of God, you would say “God does not make mistakes.”  If not for you there would be no me.  If not for you there would be no we.  If not for you there would be no us. We gather here today to celebrate and appreciate you.

Thank you for the encouragement, the perseverance, the quiet strength, and the faith you tried to embody. 

Perfect will not be the enemy of what is good. 

Love Always and Forever,

 Your family and hopefully the best part of your life and legacy

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.

I'm following the path God laid for me,

I took his hand when I heard him call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day to

laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that place at the close of day.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, he set me free.

The funeral will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, November 1 at Greenwood Crematory Chapel, 500 - 25th Street, Brooklyn.